The New National Polls

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Very rarely does a high school football team begin the year at the top of the plethora of national polls in America and end-up in the same spot at the end of the season.

The road to the "mythical" national championship usually has plenty of twists-and-turns in it.

After a couple of weeks of action, we already have a new #1 in one poll changes in the others.

We at High School Football America have decided that our first poll on September 17th, thus making sure that we sort of have a handle on how teams are looking on the field, rather than on paper.  However, with that being said, I applaud our media colleagues that climb-out on that branch before the games.

The biggest change this week is at the top of the USA Today Super 25 where Miami Central falls from #1 after its 35-3 loss to defending Georgia AAAAA champ Grayson over the weekend.

Here's a look at the USA Today Super 25, followed by MaxPreps' Xcellent 25:

USA Today Super 25

1. Manatee (FL) 1-0
2. De La Salle (CA) 1-0
3. Grayson (GA) 2-0
4. Byrnes (SC) 2-0
5. Santa Margarita (CA) 2-0
6. John Curtis (LA) 1-0
7. Plant (FL) 1-0
8. Booker T. Washington (FL) 1-0
9. Bellevue (WA) 1-0
10. Cass Tech (MI) 2-0
11. Bishop Gorman (NV) 2-0
12. Archbishop Moeller (OH) 2-0
13. Trinity (KY) 2-0
14. Union (OK) 1-0
15. Katy (TX) 1-0
16. Eden Prairie (MN) 1-0
17. Lake Travis (TX) 1-0
18. Camden County (GA) 2-0
19. Good Counsel (MD) 1-1
20. Vista Murrieta (CA) 1-0
21. Central Dauphin (PA) 1-0
22. Butler (NC) 2-0
23. Goose Creek (SC) 2-0
24. Allen (TX) 1-0
25. Miami Central (FL) 0-1

MaxPreps Xcellent 25

1. Manatee (FL) 1-0, LW: #1
2. Grayson (GA) 2-0, LW: #2
3. Skyline (TX) 1-0, LW: #3
4. Santa Margarita (CA) 2-0, LW: #4
5. Bellevue (WA) 1-0, LW: #5
6. Byrnes (SC) 2-0, LW: #7
7. De La Salle (CA) 1-0, LW: #9
8. John Curtis (LA) 1-0, LW: #6
9. Booker T. Washington (FL) 1-0, LW: #11
10. Plant (FL) 1-0, LW: #12
11. Lake Travis (TX) 1-0, LW: #14
12. Bishop Gorman (NV) 2-0, LW: #10
13. Vista Murrieta (CA) 1-0, LW: #13
14. Bergen Catholic (NJ) 0-0, LW: #15
15. Trinity (KY) 2-0, LW: #16
16. St. Ignatius (OH) 2-0, LW: #20
17. Archbishop Moeller (OH) 2-0, LW: #17
18. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 0-0, LW: #18
19. Butler (NC) 2-0, LW: #19
20. Ensworth (TN) 3-0, LW: #21
21. Hoover (AL) 1-0, LW: #22
22. Camden County (GA) 2-0, LW: #23
23. Oaks Christian (CA) 2-0, LW: #24
24. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 1-0, LW: NR
25. Northwestern (SC) 3-0, LW: NR

USA Today Super 25 Preseason High School Football Rankings Released

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Courtesy: MGhelmets.com

It's the oldest poll out there, so when the USA Today's Super 25 Preseason Poll is released, everyone takes notice and I'm no exception.

So without further ado...

Miami Central is the newspaper's preseason #1.  With a tough regular season schedule that includes fellow Super 25 teams: #3 Manatee, #6 Grayson, and #11 Booker T. Washington, a run of the table to a Florida state championship could result in a wire-to-wire finish atop the Super 25.  Manatee was chosen #1 by MaxPreps.com in its Early Contenders Top 25 Poll, which you can here about from my interview with Steve Spiewak back on June 7th.  Click here to listen to that interview on High School Football America's national radio show that's heard every Thursday night at 7pm Eastern Time.

So Miami Central begins the year at #1, but there's a lot of football to be played between now and the middle of December, and I would be shocked if the Rockets come through 2012 without a blemish.  That being said, Central does return 17 starters from last year's runner-up team.

Florida placed four teams in the Super 25 with defending 8A champ Plant checking-in at #10 in the preseason poll, along with Manatee and Booker T. Washington.  Texas also had four Super 25 teams with defending Class 5A Division I champ Southlake Carroll ranked the highest at #8, followed by Katy at #18, Euless Trinity at #20 and Lake Travis at #24.

California, the new home of High School Football America, received three positions in the Super 25.  Santa Margarita is the preseason #2, followed by De La Salle at #4 and Vista Murrieta at #22.

Defending national champ Don Bosco Prep from New Jersey didn't make the preseason poll.

Below are the rest of the rankings; you can click here to read all of the Super 25 team capsules.

1. Miami Central (FL)
2. Santa Margarita (CA)
3. Manatee (FL)
4. De La Salle (CA)
5. Byrnes (SC)
6. Grayson (GA)
7. John Curtis (LA)
8. Southlake Carroll (TX)
9. Good Counsel (MD)
10. Plant (FL)
11. Booker T. Washington (FL)
12. Union (OK)
13. Trinity (KY)
14. Archbishop Moeller (OH)
15. Bellevue (WA)
16. Gilman (MD)
17. Oscar Smith (VA)
18. Katy (TX)
19. Cass Tech (MI)
20. Euless Trinity (TX)
21. Eden Prairie (MN)
22. Vista Murrieta (CA)
23. Bingham (UT)
24. Lake Travis (TX)
25. Central Dauphin (PA)

So there you have it...give me your thoughts - good and bad about this poll.

I'm sure some of you have thoughts. :-)

USA Today Releases Preseason Super 25

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

USA Today was the first media outlet to put out national high school football rankings way back in 1982.

Since then, many other media outlets have jumped into the who's #1 game.  However, many coaches, fans, players and teams consider USA Today the authority when it comes to crowning the "mythical" national champ.

Today, USA Today writer Jim Halley released his 2011 Preseason Super 25.

At the top of USA Today's list is Don Bosco Prep from Ramsey, New Jersey.  The Ironmen were also tapped as the #1 team in MaxPreps.com's preseason poll.

Right behind DBP is St. Thomas Aquinas from Florida.  The Raiders are no strangers to national championships, having won the USA Today national title in 2008.  This year, STA begins the Rocco Casullo-era.  Casullo, the Raiders' former defensive coordinator, takes over the reigns of the program from the legendary George Smith, who resigned earlier this year.

2010 USA Today national champ South Panola could be back in the hunt this year.  The Tigers begin the season ranked #12 in the Super 25.

BTW...the only time a team has repeated as USA Today national champs was in 2001, 2002 and 2003 when De La Salle (Concord, CA) was on its national record 151-game win streak.  The Spartans begin 2011 ranked #6 by U

Below is the rest of the poll:

USA Super 25 Preseason High School Football Rankings

1. Don Bosco Prep (NJ)
2. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL)
3. Prattville (AL)
4. St. Edward (OH)
5. Allen (TX)
6. De La Salle (CA)
7. Mullen (CO)
8. Servite (CA)
9. Byrnes (SC)
10. Armwood (FL)
11. Mission Viejo (CA)
12. South Panola (MS)
13. Bishop Gorman (NV)
14. Grayson (GA)
15. Oaks Christian (CA)
16. Camden County (GA)
17. Good Counsel (MD)
18. Katy (TX)
19. Miami Central (FL)
20. Warren Central (IN)
21. Miramar (FL)
22. Maine South (IL)
23. Bellevue (WA)
24. Desert Ridge (AZ)
25. Daphne (AL)

Final USA Today Super 25 Rankings

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Euless Trinity's (Texas) loss was South Panola's  (Batesville, MS) gain in the final USA Super 25 high school football rankings.

Trinity spent the entire season at the top of the Top 25, but Saturday's 28-24 loss to #18 Pearland in the Texas Class 5A Division I championship game dropped the Trojans to #11 in the final poll and allowed the Mississippi champs to claim the mythical national title.

South Panola claimed the #1 spot thanks to its state record ninth state championship on December 4th when the Tigers beat previously unbeaten Meridian 28-7.  It was the Tigers 27th straight win.

Euless Trinity's saw its 28-game win streak end on the next to last play of the game when Brandon Carter couldn't bring down the ball in the end zone.  Pearland finished ninth in the final poll.

USA Today Super 25

1. South Panola (MS) 15-0
2. De La Salle (CA) 14-0
3. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 15-0
4. Bingham (UT) 13-0
5. Hamilton (AZ) 15-0
6. Phoebus (VA) 15-0
7. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 12-0
8. Miami Central (FL) 14-1
9. Pearland (TX) 15-0
10. Wheaton Warrenville South (IL) 14-0
11. Euless Trinity (TX) 14-1
12. St. Edward (OH) 15-0
13. Daphne (AL) 15-0
14. Mullen (CO) 14-0
15. Byrnes (SC) 12-3
16. Butler (NC) 16-0
17. Fishers (IN) 14-1
18. Cocoa (FL) 13-0
19. North Allegheny (PA) 15-1
20. Folsom (CA) 14-1
21. Palo Alto (CA) 15-0
22. Everett (MA) 12-0
23. Brookville (GA) 14-1
24. Centennial (CA) 14-1
25. Lake Travis (TX) 14-2

Latest USA Today High School Football Rankings Released

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Only one new team enters this week's USA Today Super 25.

Jenks High School in Oklahoma enters the poll at #25 after improving to 4-0 this season with a win over Shawnee last Friday.

Bishop Gorman from Nevada leaves the rankings after losing to #9 De La Salle (Concord, CA).  The Gaels entered the game ranked #18.  It was their second loss of the season after losing to #8 Hamilton (Chandler, AZ) in its season-opener.

Otherwise, the top twelve teams remain unchanged....

1. Euless Trinity (TX) 5-0, LW: #1
2. South Panola (MS) 5-0, LW: #2
3. Bingham (UT) 5-0, LW: #3
4. Phoebus (VA) 4-0, LW: #4
5. Manatee (FL) 3-0, LW: #5
6. Camden County (GA) 4-0, LW: #6
7. Hoover (AL) 5-0, LW: #7
8. Hamilton (AZ) 6-0, LW: #8
9. De La Salle (CA) 3-0, LW: #9
10. Har-Ber (AK) 4-0, LW: #10
11. Glenville (OH) 5-0, LW: #11
12. Cocoa (FL) 4-0, LW: #12
13. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 3-0, LW: #14
14. North Gwinett (GA) 5-0, LW: #15
15. Don Bosco Prep (CA), 3-0, LW: #16
16. West Monroe (LA) 4-0, LW: #13
17. Dorman (SC) 5-0, LW: #17
18. Katy (TX) 4-0, LW: #19
19. Grant (CA) 4-0, LW: #21
20. Miami Central (FL) 3-1, LW: #22
21. Glades Central (FL) 4-0, LW: #20
22. Warren Central (IN) 5-1, LW: #23
23. Mullen (CO) 4-0, LW: #24
24. Wheaton Warrenville South (IL) 5-0, LW: #25
25. Jenks (OK) 4-0, LW: NR

New USA Today Super 25 Rankings

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

There are three new teams in this week's USA Today Super 25 thanks to post-season losses by former #8 St. Ignatius (OH) and #21 Rock Hill (SC), and #18 Booker T. Washington's loss on the last weekend of the regular season in Florida.

The biggest shock was the loss by St. Ignatius to Cleveland-area rival Glenville. The Tarblooders moved into the national rankings at #18 with a surprisingly easy 30-13 victory that snapped the Wildcats 25-game win streak and hopes of defending their 2008 Division I championship.

If you missed the highlights over the weekend at the Ohio High School Football Huddle, you can check a great video piece by the Cleveland Plain Dealer below.

The two other new Super 25 teams are Union (OK) at #24 and Grant (CA) at #25.

High school football: Glenville defeats St. Ignatius

USA Today Super 25

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 10-0, LW: #1
2. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 9-0, LW: #2
3. Byrnes (SC) 11-1, LW: #3
4. Centennial (AZ) 12-0, LW: #4
5. Oaks Christian (CA) 10-0, LW: #5
6. Oscar Smith (VA) 11-0, LW: #6
7. Cedar Hill (TX) 11-0, LW: #7
8. Highlands (KY) 12-0, LW: #9
9. Maine South (IL) 12-0, LW: #11
10. The Woodlands (TX) 11-0, LW: #10
11. Madison Central (MS) 12-0, LW: #12
12. Katy (TX) 10-1, LW: #13
13. Grayson (GA) 11-0, LW: #14
14. DeMatha (MD) 11-0, LW: #16
15. West Monroe (LA) 11-0, LW: #15
16. Jenks (OK) 11-0, LW: #17
17. North Penn (PA) 11-0, LW: #19
18. Glenville (OH) 11-1, LW: NR
19. Lowndes (GA) 10-1, LW: #20
20. Northwestern (FL) 9-1, LW: #22
21. Skyline (TX) 11-0, LW: #23
22. Crenshaw (CA) 10-0, LW: #24
23. Stevenson (MI) 12-0, LW; #25
24. Union (OK) 10-1, LW: NR
25. Grant (CA) 10-0, LW; NR

Latest USA Today Super 25 High School Football Rankings

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

The faces remain the same, but not all in the same position is the latest USA Today Super 25 high school football rankings. As you look at the rankings below you'll notice mostly flip-flopping of one position between teams.

The only change in the Top 10 at #6 and #7 where Oscar Smith (VA) and Stony Point (TX) changed places.

The biggest test to the rankings will come this Saturday when #12 St. Xavier (OH) squares-off with defending Ohio Division I champ St. Ignatius, which climbed three spots this week to #22.

USA Today Super 25
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 6-0, LW: #1
2. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 5-0, LW: #2
3. Byrnes (SC) 7-1, LW: #3
4. Centennial (AZ) 8-0, LW: #4
5. Oaks Christian (CA) 6-0, LW: #5
6. Oscar Smith (VA) 7-0, LW: #7
7. Stony Point (TX) 7-0, LW: #6
8. Cedar Hill (TX) 7-0, LW: #8
9. Highlands (KY) 8-0, LW: #9
10. The Woodlands (TX) 7-0, LW: #11
11. Maine South (IL) 8-0, LW: #12
12. St. Xavier (OH) 7-1, LW: #10
13. Katy (TX) 6-1, LW: #13
14. Madison Central (MS) 8-0, LW: #14
15. Grayson (GA) 8-0, LW: #16
16. Skyline (WA) 6-1, LW; #17
17. Booker T. Washington (FL) 7-0, LW: #15
18. DeMatha (MD) 7-0, LW: #18
19. West Monroe (LA) 7-0, LW: #19
20. Jenks (OK) 7-0, LW: 20
21. North Penn (PA) 7-0, LW: #21
22. St. Ignatius (OH) 8-0, LW: #25
23. Rock Hill (SC) 8-0, LW: #22
24. Lowndes (GA) 6-1, LW: #24
25. Northwestern (FL) 5-1, LW: #23

USA Today Super 25: One Ohio Team Out, One Ohio Team In

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Like the National Prep Football Poll, USA Today's Super 25 didn't see many changes from last week. #20 Elder's second straight loss, dropped the Panthers out of the rankings. Replacing the Cincinnati school is Ohio's defending Division I champ St. Ignatius, which enters the poll at #25.

As for the rest of the poll, the top fourteen held steady with Booker T. Washington changing places with Grayson at #15 and #16. At the bottom of the poll, Jenks (OK), North Penn (PA), Rock Hill (SC), Miami Northwestern and Lowndes (GA) all slide-up one spot with Elder's loss.

USA Today Super 25
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 5-0, LW: #1
2. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 4-0, LW: #2
3. Byrnes (SC) 6-1, LW: #3
4. Centennial (AZ) 7-0, LW: #4
5. Oaks Christian (CA) 5-0, LW: #5
6. Stony Point (TX) 6-0, LW: #6
7. Oscar Smith (VA) 6-0, LW: #7
8. Cedar Hill (TX) 6-0, LW: #8
9. Highlands (KY) 7-0, LW: #9
10. St. Xavier (OH) 6-1, LW: #10
11. The Woodlands (TX) 6-0, LW; #11
12. Maine South (IL) 7-0, LW: #12
13. Katy (TX) 5-1, LW: #13
14. Madison Central (MS) 7-0, LW: #14
15. Booker T. Washington (FL) 6-0, LW: #16
16. Grayson (GA) 7-0, LW: #15
17. Skyline (WA) 5-1, LW: #17
18. DeMatha (MD) 6-0, LW: #18
19. West Monroe (LA) 6-0, LW: #19
20. Jenks (OK) 6-0, LW: #21
21. North Penn (PA) 6-0, LW: #22
22. Rock Hill (SC) 7-0, LW: #23
23. Northwestern (FL) 4-1, LW: #24
24. Lowndes (GA) 6-1, LW: #25
25. St. Ignatius (OH) 7-0, LW: NR

Despite Plenty of Super 25 Losses Last Week, Only One New Team in USA Today Rankings

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

St. Thomas Aquinas' solid win over #2 Byrnes Friday night left no doubt who's #1 in the latest USA Today rankings.

However, five teams in last week's USA Today Super 25 lost last weekend, but only one fell out of this week's rankings. To me is shows that the nation's oldest rankings guru really only cares about a certain number of teams.

Hey guys...while not all 15,000 schools need to be looked at, you should start doing a little more homework. And, before anyone starts getting on me for my comments, I do know that all four losers lost to very good teams. I just want to make sure that there's balance in the rankings!

Byrnes, which lost to #1 St. Thomas Aquinas Friday, falls only one spot to #3. Former #3 Elder lost to #25 St. Xavier...Elder tumbles to #20 while St. X climbs a much deserved 15 spots to #10. #5 Northwestern falls to #24 after losing to Booker T. Washington...new at #16. Former #9 Lowndes loses to a very good Northside-Warner Robins team and stays in the rankings at #25. The only team to drop-out was former #17 St. Bonaventure (CA).

USA Today Super 25
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 4-0, LW: #1
2. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 3-0, LW: #4
3. Byrnes (SC) 5-1, LW: #2
4. Centennial (AZ) 6-0, LW: #6
5. Oaks Christian (CA) 4-0, LW: #7
6. Stony Point (TX) 5-0, LW: #8
7. Oscar Smith (VA) 5-0, LW: #10
8. Cedar Hill (TX) 5-0, LW: #11
9. Highlands (KY) 7-0, LW: #23
10. St. Xavier (OH) 5-1, LW: #25
11. The Woodlands (TX) 5-0, LW: #12
12. Maine Park South (IL) 6-0, LW: #13
13. Katy (TX) 4-1, LW: #14
14. Madison Central (MS) 6-0, LW: #15
15. Grayson (GA) 6-0, LW: #16
16. Booker T. Washington (FL) 5-0, LW: NR
17. Skyline (WA) 5-0, LW: NR
18. DeMatha (MD) 5-0, LW: #19
19. West Monroe (LA) 5-0, LW: #20
20. Elder (OH) 5-1, LW: #3
21. Jenks (OK) 5-0, LW: #21
22. North Penn (PA) 5-0, LW: #22
23. Rock Hill (SC) 6-0, LW: #24
24. Northwestern (FL) 3-1, LW: #5
25. Lowndes (GA) 5-1, LW: #9

High School Football Super Bowl? St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Byrnes

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

While I may not agree that national high school football polls are the be-all and end-all, I will admit that tonigh, two of the best teams in the country will face-off on the field.

#1 St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) hosts #2 Brynes (Duncan, SC) on ESPNU tonight to decide, who's the best...at least for this evening.

USA Today has the Tale of the Tape
GreenvilleOnLine.com looks at Byrnes
Miami Herald looks at St. Thomas Aquinas

USA Today Super 25 Greets One Newcomer

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Fans of St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) and Byrnes (SC) get their wish this Friday, when the two teams that started the season 1-2 in the USA Today Super 25, square-off in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to decide who's the top dog.

The latest Super 25 rankings released today show no changes in the Top 5, and only one newcomer in Highlands (KY), which enters at #23 after knocking-off former #17 St. Xavier (OH) last weekend. St. X falls to #25.

The only team to slip out of the poll is former #24 De La Salle. The Spartans lost to still unranked Lakeland (FL) 31-30 in overtime Friday night before a national television audience on ESPN2.

St. Thomas Aquinas and Byrnes isn't the only marquee match-up this weekend, #3 Elder will take on #25 St. Xavier for bragging rights in Cincinnati. Elder and St. X have already beaten fellow Cincinnati power Colerain in the first two weeks of the season, dropping the Cardinals from their lofty pre-season national rankings.

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 3-0, LW: #1
2. Byrnes (SC) 5-0, LW: #2
3. Elder (OH) 5-0, LW: #3
4. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 2-0, LW: #4
5. Northwestern (FL) 3-0, LW: #5
6. Centennial (AZ) 5-0, LW: #7
7. Oaks Christian (CA) 3-0, LW: #8
8. Stony Point (TX) 4-0, LW: #9
9. Lowndes (GA) 5-0, LW: #10
10. Oscar Smith (VA) 4-0, LW: #6
11. Cedar Hill (TX) 4-0, LW: #11
12. The Woodlands (TX) 5-0, LW: #12
13. Maine South (IL) 5-0, LW: #13
14. Katy (TX) 4-1, LW #14
15. Madison Central (MS) 5-0, LW: #15
16. Grayson (GA) 5-0, LW: #18
17. St. Bonaventure (CA) 4-0, LW; #16
18. Skyline (WA) 3-1, LW: #19
19. DeMatha (MD) 4-0, LW: #20
20. West Monroe (LA) 4-0, LW: #21
21. Jenks (OK) 4-0, LW: #22
22. North Penn (PA) 4-0, LW: #23
23. Highlands (KY) 6-0, LW: NR
24. Rock Hill (SC) 5-0, LW: 25
25. St. Xavier (OH) 4-1, LW: #17

Latest USA Today and National Prep Football Poll Rankings

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle










Both USA Today and PrepNation.com added two new teams to the latest rankings this week. North Penn (Lansdale, PA) and Rock Hill (SC) enter USA Today Super 25 at #23 and #25 respectively. Phoebus (Hampton, VA) and Mullen (Denver, CO) are the newcomers to the National Prep Football Poll.

There are some changes in both that make you say huh?? For example, despite a road victory against #17 Skyline (Sammamish, WA), Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, CA) falls two spots to #8. By the way, Skyline only fell two spots to #19.


In the National Prep Football Poll, Elder (Cincinnati, OH) falls ten spots from #5 to #15. They actually flipped spots with defending Ohio Division 1 champ St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH). Both teams won last week?

Here are the rankings...

USA Today Super 25

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 2-0, LW: #1
2. Byrnes (SC) 4-0, LW: #2
3. Elder (OH) 4-0, LW: #3
4. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 1-0, LW: #4
5. Northwestern (FL) 2-0, LW: #5
6. Oscar Smith (VA) 3-0, LW: #7
7. Centennial (AZ) 4-0, LW: #8
8. Oaks Christian (CA) 3-0, LW: #6
9. Stony Point (TX) 3-0, LW: #9
10. Lowndes (GA) 4-0, LW: #10
11. Cedar Hill (TX) 4-0, LW: #11
12. The Woodlands (TX) 4-0, LW: #12
13. Maine South (IL) 4-0, LW: #14
14. Katy (TX) 3-1, LW: #13
15. Madison Central (MS) 4-0, LW: #15
16. St. Bonaventure (CA) 3-0, LW: #16
17. St. Xavier (OH) 4-0, LW: #19
18. Grayson (GA) 4-0, LW: #18
19. Skyline (WA) 2-1, LW: #17
20. DeMatha (MD) 3-0, LW: #20
21. West Monroe (LA) 3-0, LW: #22
22. Jenks (OK) 3-0, LW: #24
23. North Penn (PA) 3-0, LW: NR
24. De La Salle (CA) 1-1, LW: #25
25. Rock Hill (SC) 4-0, LW: NR

Dropped out: #21 Mt. Carmel (IL) and #23 Longview (TX)

National Prep Football Poll

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 2-0, LW: #1
2. Byrnes (SC) 4-0, LW: #2
3. Northwestern (FL) 2-0, LW: #3
4. Lowndes (GA) 4-0, LW: #4
5. St. Ignatius (OH) 4-0, LW: #15
6. Servite (CA) 3-0, LW: #10
7. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 1-0, LW: #7
8. Cedar Hill (TX) 4-0, LW: #6
9. Oscar Smith (VA) 3-0, LW: #8
10. St. Bonaventure (CA) 3-0, LW: #12
11. Oaks Christian (CA) 3-0, LW: #13
12. Miami Central (FL) 3-0, LW: #11
13. St. Xavier (OH) 4-0, LW: #19
14. Lakeland (FL) 2-0, LW: #14
15. Elder (OH) 4-0, LW: #5
16. Centennial (AZ) 4-0, LW: #16
17. Grayson (GA) 4-0, LW: #17
18. Skyline (TX) 3-0, LW: #18
19. DeMatha (MD) 3-0, LW: #19
20. Jenks (OK) 3-0, LW: #21
21. Stony Point (TX) 3-0, LW: #22
22. John Curtis (LA) 2-0, LW: #23
23. Independence (NC) 5-0, LW: #24
24. Phoebus (VA) 3-0, LW: NR
25. Mullen (CO) 4-0, LW: NR

Dropped out: #9 Skyline and #25 Good Council

One New Team in USA Today Super 25

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

One Oklahoma team in one Oklahoma team out. That's the only change big change in the latest USA Today Super 25 high school football rankings. Jenks (OK), which beat previous #15 Union 27-25 on Friday, moves in the Top 25 at #24 this week. There's no change in the first thirteen spots. De La Salle (Concord, CA) drops from #14 to #25 after losing to #4 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) 30-6 on Saturday.

USA Today Super 25
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 2-0, LW: #1
2. Byrnes (SC) 3-0, LW: #2
3. Elder (OH) 3-0, LW: #3
4. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 1-0, LW: #4
5. Northwestern (FL) 1-0, LW: #5
6. Oaks Christian (CA) 2-0, LW: #6
7. Oscar Smith (VA) 2-0, LW: #7
8. Centennial (AZ) 3-0, LW: #8
9. Stony Point (TX) 3-0, LW: #9
10. Lowndes (GA) 3-0, LW: #10
11. Cedar Hill (TX) 3-0, LW: #11
12. The Woodlands (TX) 3-0, LW: #12
13. Katy (TX) 2-1, LW: #13
14. Maine South (IL) 3-0, LW: #16
15. Madison Central (MS) 4-0, LW: #17
16. St. Bonaventure (CA) 2-0, LW: #18
17. Skyline (WA) 2-0, LW: #19
18. Grayson (GA) 3-0, LW; #20
19. St. Xavier (OH) 3-0, LW: #21
20. DeMatha (MD) 2-0, LW: #23
21. Mount Carmel (IL) 3-0, LW: #24
22. West Monroe (LA) 2-0, LW: #22
23. Longview (TX) 3-0, LW: #25
24. Jenks (OK) 2-0, LW: NR
25. De La Salle (CA) 1-1, LW: #14

Ten New Teams Enter USA Today Super 25 & National Prep Football Poll

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

With a two week lag between the release of its pre-season Super 25 and the first weekly poll, there are plenty of changes in the USA Today Super 25 released today. Six new teams enter this week's rankings. Not as many newcomers (four) in PrepNation.com's National Prep Football Poll because this week's Top 25 is the website's fourth poll of the year.

However, both do agree that St. Thomas Aquinas is the cream-of-the-crop as both have the Raiders holding strong at #1.

The Woodlands (TX) is the highest debuter at #12 in the USA Today poll after dropping former #3 Katy 31-27. Katy falls to #13. Miami Central (FL) debuts at #16 in the National Prep Football Poll after a solid 34-3 win over Mainland.

USA Today Super 25
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 1-0, LW: #1
2. Byrnes (SC) 2-0, LW: #2
3. Elder (OH) 2-0, LW: #4
4. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 0-0, LW: #5
5. Northwestern (FL) 1-0, LW: #6
6. Oaks Christian (CA) 1-0, LW: #7
7. Oscar Smith (VA) 1-0, LW: #8
8. Centennial (AZ) 2-0, LW: #9
9. Stony Point (TX) 2-0, LW: #15
10. Lowndes (GA) 2-0, LW: #16
11. Cedar Hill (TX) 2-0, LW: #17
12. The Woodlands (TX) 2-0, LW: NR
13. Katy (TX) 1-1, LW: #3
14. De La Salle (CA) 1-0, LW: #14
15. Union (OK) 1-0, LW: #18
16. Maine South (IL) 2-0, LW: #19
17. Madison Central (MS) 3-0, LW: #22
18. St. Bonaventure (CA) 1-0, LW: #23
19. Skyline (WA) 1-0, LW: #24
20. Grayson (GA) 2-0, LW: NR
21. St. Xavier (OH) 2-0, LW: NR
22. West Monroe (LA) 1-0, LW: NR
23. DeMatha (MD) 1-0, LW: #25
24. Mount Carmel (IL) 2-0, LW: NR
25. Longview (TX) 2-0, LW: NR

Dropped out of rankings: #10 East St. Louis (IL), #11 Camden County (GA),#12 Allen (TX), #13 Colerain (OH), #20 Liberty (PA) and #21 Prattville (AL)

National Prep Football Poll
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 1-0, LW: #1
2. Byrnes (SC) 2-0, LW: #2
3. Northwestern (FL) 1-0, LW: #3
4. Lowndes (GA) 2-0, LW: #5
5. Elder (OH) 2-0, LW: #7
6. Cedar Hill (TX) 2-0, LW: #10
7. Oscar Smith (VA) 1-0, LW; #6
8. Bellevue (WA) 1-0, LW: #8
9. Skyline (WA) 1-0, LW; #9
10. Servite (CA) 1-0, LW: #20
11. St. Ignatius (OH) 2-0, LW: #11
12. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 0-0, LW: #12
13. Oaks Christian (CA) 1-0, LW: #13
14. Lakeland (FL) 0-0, LW: #14
15. Centennial (AZ) 2-0, LW: #18
16. Miami Central (FL) 1-0, LW: NR
17. De La Salle (CA) 1-0, LW: #15
18. Grayson (GA) 2-0, LW: #16
19. Skyline (TX) 1-0, LW: #19
20. Union (OK) 1-0, LW: NR
21. St. Xavier (OH) 2-0, LW: NR
22. DeMatha (MD) 1-0, LW: #22
23. John Curtis (LA) 1-0, LW: #23
24. Independence (NC) 3-0, LW: #24
25. Garland (TX) 1-0, LW: NR

USA Today Super 25 Pre-Season Rankings

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

No matter how things change in high school football football, some things just remain the same...like the teams in the USA Today Super 25 rankings.

2008 mythical national champ St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) is the pre-season pick at #1 according to the paper that's been ranking high school football teams since 1982. Eleven teams that finished in the final Super 25 Poll in 2008 are ranked in this season's first poll.

If you want to check out a complete list of every national champ since 1982, the Alabama High School Football Historical Society has done a great job of compiling the list.

Here's a look at the rankings:

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 15-0
2. Byrnes (SC) 14-1
3. Katy (TX) 13-3
4. Elder (OH) 13-2
5. Don Bosco Prep (NJ) 11-1
6. Northwestern (FL) 13-2
7. Oaks Christian (CA) 14-0
8. Oscar Smith (VA) 15-0
9. Centennial (AZ) 14-0
10. East St. Louis (IL) 13-1
11. Camden County (GA) 15-0
12. Allen (TX) 15-1
13. Colerain (OH) 11-2
14. De La Salle (CA) 12-2
15. Stony Point (TX) 13-2
16. Lowndes (GA) 12-1
17. Cedar Hill (TX) 12-2
18. Union (OK) 13-1
19. Maine South (IL) 14-0
20. Liberty (PA) 15-1
21. Prattville (AL) 13-1
22. Madison Central (WI) 12-2
23. St. Bonaventure (CA) 14-1
24. Skyline (WA) 14-0
25. DeMatha (MD) 10-2

USA Today Super 25

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

This Friday and Saturday marks the end of the 2008 high school football season, and with California, Florida and Texas staging its state championships, a lot will be decided.

When it comes to USA Today's mythical national championship, it will come down to four big games. #1 St. Thomas Aquinas controls its destiny. The Raiders will play #6 Lakeland Friday for the state's 5A title. Waiting in the wings are #2 Centennial, which will play #16 De La Salle in the California Division I title, # 3 Long Beach Poly, which plays Sacramento Grant for the California Open Division title, and #4 Allen, which plays Hightower for the Class 5A Division I in Texas.

Last weekend #13 Trinity (KY) and #17 Camden County (GA) claimed state titles. Liberty, which beat former #17 Bethel Park for the Pennsylvania AAAA title, is the only new team in the Super 25.

Here are the rankings...

1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 14-0, LW: #1
2. Centennial (Corona, CA) 14-0, LW: #2
3. Long Beach Poly (CA) 14-0, LW: #3
4. Allen (TX) 14-1, LW: #4
5. Skyline (Issaquah, WA) 14-0, LW: #5
6. Lakeland (FL) 14-0, LW: #6
7. Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA) 15-0, LW: #7
8. Lake Travis (Austin, TX) 15-0, LW: #8
9. Byrnes (Duncan, SC) 14-1, LW: #9
10. Trinity (Euless, TX) 13-1, LW: #10
11. Plant (Tampa, FL) 13-1, LW: #11
12. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH) 14-1, LW: #12
13. Trinity (Louisville, KY) 14-1, LW: #13
14. Center Grove (Greenwood, IN) 14-1, LW: #14
15. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) 11-1, LW: #15
16. De La Salle (Concord, CA) 12-1, LW: #16
17. Camden County (Kingsland, GA) 15-0, LW: #21
18. Armwood (Seffner, FL) 12-1, LW: #18
19. River Hill (Clarksville, MD) 14-0, LW: #19
20. Oceanside (CA) 12-0-1, LW: #20
21. Liberty (Bethlehem, PA) 15-1, LW: NR
22. Maine South (Park Ridge, IL) 14-0, LW: #22
23. Timpview (Provo, UT) 13-0, LW: #23
24. Muskegon (MI) 14-0, LW: #24
25. Union (Tulsa, OK) 13-1, LW: #13

USA Today Super 25

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Center Grove (IN), Maine South (IL) and Muskegon (MI) all won state championships last weekend, and in addition to the shiny trophies, all three are in the new USA Today Super 25 released on Tuesday. Joining that trio is Grayson (GA), which hops into the rankings at #14 after taking down defending Georgia champ and former #4 Lowndes in the GHSA quarterfinals on Friday.

Here are the new rankings...

1. Trinity (Euless, TX) 13-0, LW: #1
2. St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 12-0, LW: #2
3. Armwood (Seffner, FL) 12-0, LW: #3
4. Centennial (Corona, CA) 12-0, LW: #5
5. Long Beach Poly (CA) 12-0, LW: #6
6. Skyline (Issaquah, WA) 13-0, LW: #7
7. Madison County (Madison, FL) 11-0, LW: #8
8. Lakeland (FL) 12-0, LW: #9
9. South Panola (Batesville, MS) 14-0, LW: #10
10. Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA) 14-0, LW: #11
11. Lake Travis (Austin, TX) 13-0, LW: #13
12. Byrnes (Duncan, SC) 13-1, LW: #22
13. Allen (TX) 12-1, LW: #14
14. Grayson (Loganville, GA) 13-0, LW: NR
15. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH) 14-1, LW: #16
16. St. Xavier (Louisville, KY) 12-0, LW: #17
17. Center Grove (Greenwood, IN) 14-1, LW: NR
18. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) 10-1, LW: #19
19. River Hill (Clarksville, MD) 13-0, LW: #20
20. De La Salle (Concord, CA) 10-1, LW: #21
21. Bethel Park (PA) 14-0, LW: #23
22. Oceanside (CA) 10-0-1, LW: #25
23. Maine South (Park Ridge, IL) 14-0, LW: NR
24. Timpview (Provo, UT) 13-0, LW: #24
25. Muskegon (MI) 14-0, LW: NR

Georgia High School Football Scoreboard - Quarterfinals

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle


Lowndes run for its fourth Georgia high school football championship in five years came to a screeching halt Friday night losing to unbeaten Grayson 17-7. Leading the way for the Rams was a tiny running back, who came-up big. 5-3, 135-pound Ean Pemberton rushed for 188-yards and both Grayson touchdowns to move the school into its first state semifinals next week. Lowndes came into the game ranked #4 by USA Today. Click here for game story.

Georgia High School Football Scores
Friday, November 28, 2008

Quarterfinals

USA Today Super 25
Grayson 17 #4 Lowndes

AAAAA
Grayson 17 Lowndes 7
Camden County 18 Woodstock 17 Click here for game story
Newnan 20 North Gwinnett 3 Click here for game story
Peachtree Ridge 38 Coffee 0 Click here for game story

AAAA
Tucker 31 Westside-Macon 20 Click here for game story
Rome 41 Statesboro 21
Griffin 10 Southwest DeKalb 7 Click here for game story
Marist 34 Mt. Zion-Jonesboro 33 Click here for game story

AAA
Flowery Branch 35 Baldwin 17 Click here for game story
LaGrange 20 Dunwoody 5 Click here for game story
Carver-Columbus 28 Gainesville 14
Cairo 23 Eastside 6

AA
Brooks County 33 Lovett 32
Calhoun 41 Toombs County 14
Buford 44 Dublin 10 Click here for game story
Fitzgerald 41 Pepperell 19

A
Emanuel County Institute 13 Bremen 7
Wesleyan 17 Miller County 0
Wilkinson County 7 Turner County 6
Lincoln County 27 Wilcox County 12

USA Today Super 25

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Two Top 25 teams saw their 2008 seasons come to a close on a down note over the weekend. Former #3 Gateway (Monroeville, PA) lost 10-6 to Bethel Park in the WPIAL AAAA championship game, which moves BP into the poll at #23. Also new to the poll is Utah's Timpview, which won its third straight 4A title last weekend. The Thunderbirds take over the #24 spot vacated by Northside (Warner Robins, GA), which lost to unbeaten Camden County in the second round of the Georgia high school football playoffs.

Here's the new Top 25...

1. Trinity (Euless, TX) 12-0, LW: #1
2. St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 11-0, LW: #2
3. Armwood (Seffner, FL) 11-0, LW: #4
4. Lowndes (Valdosta, GA) 11-0, LW: #6
5. Centennial (Corona, CA) 11-0, LW: #7
6. Long Beach Poly (CA) 11-0, LW: #5
7. Skyline (Issaquah, WA) 12-0, LW: #8
8. Madison County (Madison, FL) 10-0, LW: #9
9. Lakeland (FL) 11-0, LW: #11
10. South Panola (Batesville, MS) 13-0, LW: #10
11. Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA) 13-0, LW: #12
12. Dorman (Roebuck, SC) 13-0, LW: #13
13. Lake Travis (Austin, TX) 12-0, LW: #14
14. Allen (TX) 11-1, LW: #15
15. Stone Bridge (Ashburn, VA) 13-0, LW: #16
16. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH) 13-1, LW: #17
17. St. Xavier (Louisville, KY) 11-0, LW: #18
18. Elder (Cincinnati, OH) 13-1, LW: #19
19. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) 9-1, LW: #20
20. River Hill (Clarksville, MD) 12-0, LW: #21
21. De La Salle (Concord, CA) 9-1, LW: #22
22. Byrnes (Duncan, SC) 12-1, LW: #23
23. Bethel Park (PA) 13-0, LW: NR
24. Timpview (Provo, UT) 13-0, LW: NR
25. Oceanside (CA) 9-0-1, LW: #25

Brynes Rejoins USA Today Rankings

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Tuscaloosa County's (AL) loss is Byrnes (SC) gain. The former #1 Rebels climbed back into the USA Today Super 25 at #23 after T-C's season came to a close last weekend with a loss in the second round of the Alabama high school football playoffs. River HIll's (MD) free fall continued this week as it falls four spots to #21. Over the last two week River Hill has fallen nine spots. Oceanside, which tied Ramona 33-33 last week, falls two spots. Here's the latest rankings...

1. Trinity (Euless, TX) 11-0, LW: #1
2. St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 10-0, LW: #2
3. Gateway (Monroeville, PA) 12-0, LW: #3
4. Armwood (Seffner, FL) 11-0, LW: #4
5. Long Beach Poly (CA) 20-0, LW: #5
6. Lowndes (Valdosta, GA) 11-0, LW: #6
7. Centennial (Corona, CA) 10-0, LW: #7
8. Skyline (Issaquah, WA) 11-0, LW: #8
9. Madison County (Madison, FL) 9-0, LW: #9
10. South Panola (Batesville, MS) 12-0, LW: #10
11. Lakeland (FL) 10-0, LW: #11
12. Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA) 12-0, LW: #12
13. Dorman (Roebuck, SC) 12-0, LW: #13
14. Lake Travis (Austin, TX) 11-0, LW: #14
15. Allen (TX) 10-1, LW: #15
16. Stone Bridge (Ashburn, VA) 12-0, LW: #16
17. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH) 12-1, LW: #18
18. St. Xavier (Louisville, KY) 10-0, LW: #19
19. Elder (Cincinnati, OH) 12-1, LW: #20
20. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NJ) 8-1, LW: #21
21. River Hill (Clarksville, MD) 11-0, LW: #17
22. De La Salle (Concord, CA) 9-1, LW: #22
23. Brynes (Duncan, SC) 11-1, LW: NR
24. Northside (Warner Robins, GA) 10-1, LW: #24
25. Oceanside (CA) 9-0-1, LW: #23